Naruto Uzumaki, newly proclaimed Genin of Konoha, was grinning like an idiot. His forehead protector was firmly strapped across his waist, acting as a belt, letting his normally spiky hair fall over his goggles which were firmly placed over his eyes. A few hours ago he was told that he had passed, though not in the traditional sense, the Genin Exam. He had his picture taken and even had a successful C ranked mission added to his Ninja log, how cool was that!
Now he was bopping along down the main street of the village, happily ignoring the sneers and glares directed at him by the villagers. All of a sudden, a small yellow blur slammed into him full tilt, flinging him backwards several feet into a pyramid of barrels.
"What was that?" Morgana's question echoed in his dazed mind. She was none to happy that she had been hit as she was still under the front of Naruto's shirt.
Naruto shook his head to clear out the metaphorical cobwebs and glared at the disturbance, a small boy with an oversized scarf, and yelled at the boy, Hey brat, watch where you're going!"
The aforementioned boy was rubbing his tender head and returned a glare just as fierce to the goggled Necromancer, "You watch where you're going, idiot!"
"Why you little," Naruto stood up from the crushed barrels and stalked over to the boy, hauling him up into the air by the front of his shirt. "What'd you say, brat." Naruto brandished his fist.
A smug smirk wormed its way across the small boy's face, "Go ahead, I dare ya! I'm the third Hokage's grandson, Konohamaru! So go ahead, hit me you coward!"
The next thing Konohamaru saw was a set of callused knuckles before his world exploded in pain. He rolled back several feet as Naruto retracted his fist. An ugly purple bruise darkened on Konohamaru forehead, the boy just clutched his forehead, a few tears of pain leaked out.
Naruto's face was set in stone, a deep scowl etched upon his face, "I don't care if you're the damned Kami, you need to learn manners." With that Naruto shoved his hands in his pockets and stalked past the downed boy, not even acknowledging the gawking and scowls of the surrounding villagers.
Konohamaru opened his eyes once most of the pain had receded and looked after the retreating Ninja-Wizard, maybe he had found a worthy sensei after all? As quickly as he could, Konohamaru started to shadow his, hopefully, future teacher.
--
"Morgana-oneechan, what was that…energy I used last night, it felt almost…alive." The two were back in the clearing where the 'Mizuki Incident' took place, Naruto was resting against one of the larger trees, goggled eyes turned up toward the clouds. He was absentmindedly stroking Morgana's spine, and the book shuddered after every stroke, a soft moan of pleasure escaping every so often. Naruto was oblivious.
"That's because, ahh, silly Naruto, it was, ooh, alive. It was, mmm, Magic." Morgana gave a particularly hard shudder at this. The two lapsed into silence, if you ignored the books moans and whimpers, for several minutes.
"What is Magic, onee-chan?"
"When you said earlier, ah, little Naruto, mmm, that Magic felt, a-aah, alive, you were spot, oh, on." Morgana gave another hard, almost violent, shudder. "Little Naruto, could you, ooh, stop for a moment, mmm. It's getting, ah, hard to concentrate."
"Oh, sorry onee-chan." He instead rested his hand on the front cover, rubbing in small circles, which wasn't much better. Naruto still remained oblivious to his effect on Morgana.
"As I was saying, Magic is a living entity that commands a great source of power, it harnesses the power of both life and death. And like any being, Magic likes to cooperate with those who are nice to it, it hates to be forced to work." The tome gave a soft shudder and a quiet murmur of pleasure at a particularly firm rub. "You could be very talented if you learned how to use Magic."
"Would you teach me, onee-chan?" Naruto got excited at the prospect of learning something new, something no one he knew had heard of before. "What would I need to do?"
"Well, right now you only have the tiniest capacity for Magic, on par with what we call, First level. This is only because you became a priest of Nerull."
"A priest?" You could practically see the gears turning in Naruto's head. "You mean one of those old guys who perform at funerals and churches?"
Morgana tinkling laugh echoed in his mind, "No, silly Naruto, it means that you are a champion…well, the champion here on your world, seeing as there are no true clerics around."
"Cleric, I thought you said I was a priest?" Naruto stopped his rubbing and the book gave a quiet groan of protest.
"Cleric, priest; different word, same meaning."
"Oh, okay. So what does being a priest entitle?" His classmates would be shocked, he used the word entitled correctly.
"For you? You just need to spread he word of Nerull, and make his presence known through out the world… it's not as hard as it seems." The book gave the equivalent of a shrug, a slight flutter of her pages.
"Riiight, is there anyway to get a power boost, I mean, I feel…weak. I hate to feel weak." Flashes of his life passed through his head, not unlike his first meeting with Morgana. "What can I do?"
"Well, you won't like it." Hearing no complaints, she continued. "You can convert your chakra into Mana reservoirs, but you'll have to convert all of it at once."
There was a few moments of silence, a loud 'WHAT!' spooked the nesting bird out of the treetops. "Why would I do that?!" Naruto stood up and began pacing the clearing, leaving Morgana at the base of the tree.
"Because, silly Naruto, you have an enormous supply of chakra, correct?" Morgana's voice was soft and patient.
"Er, well, I don't know. How can I figure it out?" Naruto scratched the back of his head looking sheepish.
Morgana was quiet, as if contemplating something. "That jutsu you learned yesterday, Shadow Clone Jutsu, test it out for me, put as much chakra as you can into it."
Naruto gave her a weird look but complied, putting his hands into a modified Ram seal. The clearing, and the grounds beyond, was filled with orange and blonde. "Now, how many of you are there?"
The Necromancer concentrated for a moment, "Two thousand, four hundred and sixty-five."
"…A Jonin should only manage about five for his first time using the jutsu after learning it, like you just did." Naruto didn't respond, he just fell backwards as the clones dispelled themselves. "Little Naruto?"
"So what are the advantages of Magic over Chakra?" Naruto said quietly.
"For one, Magic is more versatile than Chakra could ever be, and as such, it is more useful to the wielder. Another aspect is when it is used in its purest form, no barrier or armor can stop it from it's target, making it a great offensive power…also, it can…bring the dead back to life, both true resurrection, and as your minions." Morgana was quiet, waiting for his reaction.
"Minions?" The boy muttered softly.
The book almost seemed to sigh, "Naruto…you must realize that our master, Nerull, is not what you would consider…a benevolent god, he's a God of Death, Evil, and Trickery. And as such, his priest command a power that most would consider…perverted."
"Perverted? Like the old men peeping on the women's side of the bathhouse?"
"No, little Naruto, not sexual perversion, but true perversion, one that goes against the very laws of Heaven and Nature itself. Our…minions, as we'll call them, are more in the category of the grotesque: skeletons, zombies, vampires, demons, all the things that can be considered unnatural or wrong are our to command, once you're strong enough…" The two descended into a solemn silence, both caught in their own thoughts.
"The disadvantages?"
"You'll have to pray every night to Lord Nerull, most times with a blood sacrifice, if he is displeased with you or you forget to pray, then he will not grant you the power to work your spells. If I'm right, you can also walk down another branch of magic, it requires intense study and memorization, but the rewards are worth it."
Naruto let out a dry chuckle, "Morgana, I've been living on my own for nine years, I've dealt with teachers intentionally trying to fail me, I've even had to craft my own 'mask' so to speak, I think I can deal with a few weeks of study and a lifetime of prayer."
"Then what's your decision, my little Naruto?"
"Alright, let's do this."
--
"Are you sure you want to do this, little Naruto?" It was several hours later, a large pentagram encompassed the clearing, runes and seals intermixed with the thick lines. All of this was written in Naruto's blood, which to him seemed odd, he shouldn't have this much blood in him, where de it all come from? Morgana lay just outside the circle, propped up against the tree, opened to a page that detailed the process in minute detail.
"We've been through this before, onee-chan, yes, I want to do this for myself and Nerull-sama. When I said I'd make him proud of me, I wasn't lying." The boy in question was smeared with blood, turning his clothes and skin a russet red. A small well of blood was cupped in his left hand while he drew with a thick paintbrush in his right. He was determined to make it exactly right before the sun fully set, when the ritual would take place.
"You remember the words?"
Naruto stopped and rolled his eyes, "Yes, okaa-san, I remember the words." If you looked real closely, you could see Morgana's pages turn a light pink.
"Well then hurry up with the finishing touches, it has to be ready by nightfall." Naruto looked to the west through the thick foliage. The sun was setting fast, the bottom tip was now eclipsed by the horizon. He worked diligently to make each rune, seal, and line perfect while he still had some light left.
"There, all finished." The sun was now halfway down, and Naruto was covered in even more blood, his skin was a pallid white from losing all of his blood, and then some. He wiped his bloody hands against his red-soaked trousers and collapsed against the tree next to Morgana. His eyelids drooped and finally closed, sending him into sweet oblivion…for about two seconds.
"-ruto, little Naruto…NARUTO!" Morgana's shrill call shattered the inner peace he was experiencing, making him jump slightly in reply. "Quickly, little Naruto, the sun's almost set! Into the center and recite the chant!" The sun was just a sliver on the edge of the world at this point, Naruto sluggishly complied, hopping over the outside ring and the runes, carefully making his way to the empty pentagon in the middle.
He stood in the exact center, flashing through awkward hand signs he'd learned by heart. In a deep, gravely whisper he intoned:
"Zergow ql Jwbez,
Zergow ql Hnin,
Zergow ql Nekros."
A pulse of black magic around the outer ring caused the dried blood on the forest floor to burst into silvery flames. Several faint moans of pain could be heard from the fire if you listened closely.
"Jx Ieoqcobeq ep Dlogrek,
Kl Hlkbro pechh eq Clka,
E Psijeq ql Magic."
The fire flew inward, burning and highlighting each rune, line, and seal in an unholy glow. The tortured cries grew louder, twisted black shapes skulked the edge of the pentagram, looking for a way in.
"Jx Plah ep-kl Moepalk,
Eqp hwup al-klq Wymhx,
E-wj prq Free…"
The fire immediately cut out, allowing the shadow beasts to leap inwards and meld into the Genin's body, a spasm of pain wracking Naruto as each one connected. He fell to the ground after the last one entered, he could feel them inside him, squirming, thrashing, trying to rip his soul asunder, but he held out. The small pentagon he kneeled in started to glow with a silvery light before shooting up in a pillar of silver flames, engulfing everything within it, including Naruto.
--
"Holy Shit! I've gotta tell Gramps about this!" Konohamaru; who had been spying on his new, obviously insane, Hero, exclaimed as the pillar of silver death shot up. He dashed off through the forest towards the Hokage's tower, leaving the burning clearing behind.
--
"Guh, onee-chan? Was I supposed to be set of fire? …Onee-chan? Morgana!" Naruto's eyes flew open then shut at the searing light burning his retinas. A low hiss of pain escaped his lips as he tried to bring up is hands to cover his exposed eyes, but he found them restrained.
"What's going on! Is any one there?! What the fuck is going on!?" Naruto started to thrash about, an unknown dark power filled his limbs allowing him to snap the restraining bonds. His hands flew up and covered his aching eyes, allowing a small amount of relief.
He could hear the sound of a door opening and several people rushing in. His hands were pulled away from his eyes and forced to his sides. He hissed in agony as the light penetrated his thin eyelids, causing a migraine. A few seconds later he felt a sharp prick in his neck and he slowly lost his strength. As he faded from consciousness, he heard one of the people talking about chakra-sapping restraints.
"Morgana-onee-chan…" The world ceased to exist.
--
"How is he doing, Mochi-san?" The Sandaime Hokage, Kenji Sarutobi, sighed heavily as he looked through a window of the 'Quarantine' section of the hospital at a young blonde-haired ninja knocked out and restrained on the bed. His grandson, Konohamaru, stood slightly behind him, staring at the floor with slightly teary eyes.
The head doctor, Kanazawa Mochi, looked at the aging Kage over his half moon spectacles, daring him to smoke the pipe that was half-way out of Kenji's robes. "He woke once, though he was delusional. He was talking to an imaginary person, a," Kanazawa looked down at his chart for a moment, "A 'Morgana-oneechan'. Seeing as the boy had no immediate family, we've determined that he was suffering from schizophrenia. "What happened to the boy, Sarutobi?"
"That, Mochi-san, is a very, very long story. But I can tell you that Morgana is no hallucination. You should remember this." From his robes he retrieved a worn black-gray book that, if it were human, would be straining to get out of the old man's grasp and toward the unconscious boy in the room.
"But…but that's-" Kanazawa took a fearful step backwards, away from that, that thing of unspeakable evil.
"Yes, yes it is. And it seems that it has bonded with Naruto, explaining the voice that only he seems to hear." Kenji replaced the struggling book and locked eyes with the fearful doctor, "I trust you can take care of the paperwork?"
Mochi snapped out of his funk and immediately straightened and collected himself. "Of course, Hokage-sama. I only hope you know what you're doing." Without waiting for a response, the doctor turned on his heel and walked off.
"Me too, Mochi-san, me too."
--
Naruto's eyes still ached, though the effects were dulled somewhat due to the medicine, but he could feel the restraints back in place. "Guuh, wha hit me? Wait, they took away onee-chan! Let Me Out! LET ME OUT! When the Hokage hears about this-" A quiet cough interrupted the boy's rant.
"When I hear about what, Naruto?"
Naruto's eyes flew open, disregarding the pain accompanied with the action. Both the Hokage and Konohamaru seemed to recoil in fear at seeing his eyes, the latter more than the former. "Jiji, they took Morgana-onee chan away! We need to get her back! We need-"
Again the hyperventilating boy was interrupted by the Hokage, "Don't worry, she's right here." The Sandaime pulled Morgana out from his robes. Naruto tried to lunge for her, but was held firmly in place by the restraints. He began to thrash against them.
Kenji, seeing this, shouted at the boy, "Naruto, stop moving and I'll untie you! Just promise not to attack me, alright?" You could hear a hint of amusement at the last statement. Naruto stopped abruptly, shaking with a nervous energy, almost willing the Hokage to be faster.
Kenji walked forward and undid the straps, handing the book over to the boy who immediately clutched it to his chest and began sobbing, "Morgana-onee chan! I-I though that they to-took you away and got r-rid of you!"
Morgana gave off pulses of warming comfort, trying to console the boy like a mother would her child. "Shh, shh, it's okay, little Naruto, it's okay. I'm here now, that's all that matters."
Konohamaru stared at the sobbing boy like he had grown a second head and three arms. Why was he crying? It was just a stupid book, wasn't it?
"Ahem, Naruto. I hate to interrupt this…heartfelt moment, but if you don't hurry, you'll miss being placed on your team." Naruto's tears almost literally froze at this. With a blink of an eye, Naruto was out of the hospital and racing towards the Academy. Kenji let out a laugh and Konohamaru looked at his chuckling grandpa. Meh, adults are weird.
--
Naruto was flying down the crossroads and back alleys, trying to make it to the Academy as quick as possible. Morgana was held in his right hand, if you looked closely you could see her pages turning a slight green from the jarring motions.
"N-Naruto, where a-are we go-ing?" Her voice was unsteady at best, clipping out with each swing of Naruto's arms.
"No time, gotta hurry, can't be late." The boy carried on with this muttering undertone as he ran, Morgana decided to give up and wait for him to slow down.
The Academy was within sight after a full minute, the boy tore through the hallways, making a thunderous racket in the process and zoomed up a flight of stairs. He skidded in front of his classroom door and was about to open it when Morgana's panicked voice caught him, "Wait!"
His hand faltered for a moment, "What's the matter, onee chan?"
"Don't you think you should put on your goggles?" There was a tone of desperation in her voice.
"I guess I could, why?" He was already fishing around in his pouch for his extra pair.
"I…I'll tell you later, once we're alone. Just please, don't remove them when you're around others, little Naruto."
He looked strongly at the suddenly tight-lipped book in his hands, before shrugging and slipping on his goggles, just in time for Iruka to open the door.
"Ah, Naruto. We were about to start without you. Take a seat."
--
"If you will all take your seats, I'll announce the teams. Once all of them have been called, your Jonin sensei's will come pick you up. Understood?" A chorus of 'Understood' washed over him in an unenthusiastic wave.
"Alright:
Team 1 will be Aka Kurisu Mori, Junta Khan, and Zochi Matsuda. Your instructor will be Issan Jorishi.
Team 2 will be Zen Kuriko, Tenra Kuruki, and Tenma Saotome. Your instructor will be Toshi Burakyu.
Team 3 will be Motoko Aoyama, Keitaro Urashima, and Naru Narusegawa. Your teacher will be Kanako Urashima.
Team 4 will be Kohei Keplan, Jigatsu Momoshitai, and Doroku Mestbushi. Your teacher will be Sendai Aomori.
Team 5 will be Ashika Zenpachi, Rojin Karaku, and Metsbushi Ioshi. Your instructor will be Noquoya Hashi.
Team 6 will be Nonaka Guryu, Morai Juca, and Kaiza Furyu. Your instructor will be Kensei Yaiba.
Team 7 will be Sasuke Uchiha, Sakura Haruno -"
"Hah, in your face Ino-pig!" The pink harpy screeched. Iruka just glared at the girl until she shut up and sat back down.
"As I was saying, the final member of Team 7 is…" Every girl in the room immediately sat forward in their seats, praying that their name would be called. "Kiba Inuzuka. Your instructor will be Kakashi Hatake."
Kiba was torn between cheering and groaning, but before he could decide on one the room grew much, much colder. A myriad of cracking knuckles popped at once, sending more shivers down the his spine than the sudden sub-zero temperature.
Iruka just dismissed the beat down as normal and continued on like nothing was happening, albeit in a louder tone to be heard over the cries of anger and pain.
"Team 8 will be Shikamaru Nara, Choji Akimichi, and…Hyuuga Hinata. Your teacher will be Asuma Sarutobi.
Team 9 will be Toro Muzishi, Ryoma Kinniku, and Tori Nezumi. Your instructor will be Karako Tobi."
The 'dog-boy beat down had wound down by now, leaving the girls looking slightly happier and one bloodied preteen broken preteen twitching on the floor. Iruka looked at the last team with some hesitation while Naruto looked around, trying to figure out who was left. Ino Yamanaka had a cold feeling in her gut.
"Er…due to special circumstances…Team 10, comprised of Naruto Uzumaki, Ino Yamanaka, and Shino Aburame, will have two Jonin instructors. They are Kurenai Yuhi and-" Iruka was cut off by the windows breaking as a large, dark shape hurtled through, tossing two kunai into the ceiling, unfurling a banner proclaiming:
The Sexy and Single
Jonin Instructor
Anko Mitarashi!!
A/N: HA! Didn't see that coming. Due to the crap quality of my computer, this is actually the third rendition of the same chapter. Anyway, I've a couple ideas for what to give Naruto, a Scythe, Familiar, and Robes are all mandatory and will appear in the next chapter. Right now, this is all build up, but there will be a darker Naruto as the story progresses.
As far as polls go, send me a message or submit a review on the following topics:
Naruto's Familiar (check out my page for the actual poll)
Zabuza/Haku lives/dies (Do remember that Naruto IS a Necromancer before deciding.)
First Magic Item (Main categories: Jewelry, Armor, Weapons, Books, Clothing, Potions, etc.)
Use of the 'Gate' Spell (Yes, No, Where to?)
Any Other Category I've Forgotten